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National Board Testing Laboratory


The principle roles of the laboratory are to:

  • Evaluate the performance and relieving capacity of safety valves.
  • Support industry research and development efforts by testing new design concepts.
  • Serve as the companion standard for other laboratories.
  • Validate new concepts for industry technical standards.

To verify compliance with a variety of construction standards and specifications, pressure relief device testing is conducted on a regular basis for manufacturers, assemblers, and repair organizations located around the world. The laboratory’s testing methods, procedures, equipment, and personnel meet internationally-recognized standards.

The main area of the National Board Testing Laboratory contains three test systems using steam, nitrogen, and water. Each system features the following:


 
Steam Air Water
Media Dry Saturated Steam Compressed Nitrogen Ambient Temp. Water
Maximum
Source Pressure
850 psi
(58 bar)
3,500 psi
(238 bar)
625 psi
(43 bar)
Flow Measurement
Method
Timed Weight Method Sonic Flow Nozzle
and
Sharp-Edged
Orifice Plate
Sharp-Edged
Orifice Plates
and
Timed
Weight Method
Maximum Stamped Set Pressure 500 psi (34 bar)
4" (DN 100)
Low Medium High 500 psi (34 bar)
4" (DN 100)
580 psi (39 bar)
6" (DN 150)
1,100 psi (75 bar)
4" (DN 100)
2,025 psi (138 bar)
3" (DN 80)**
Maximum Stamped Flow Capacity 12,000 pph
(5,443 Kg/h)
13,000 SCFM
(22,087 m3/h)
15,000 SCFM
(25,485 m3/h)
5,000 SCFM
(8,495 m3/h)
550 gpm
(2,082 L/min)

**Valve orifice diameter must be less than or equal to 1 inch (applies to high pressure air system only)


Data Acquisition

A computer-based acquisition system is available to electronically capture the best data for flow computation and analysis.

For more information regarding the National Board Testing Laboratory, please Contact Us.